Doris Makes Ireland Team While McCarthy Omitted

Newly reappointed head coach the Ireland coach has selected captain Doris in his Irish roster for the autumn Tests, but lock McCarthy is absent.

The captain, absent from play since undergoing shoulder surgery in the start of May, has come back to Leinster training, though his fitness is uncertain whether he will be fit to face New Zealand in Chicago on November 1.

Second row McCarthy, however, was not considered after failing to recover from the foot issue he sustained during the opening Lions Test against Australia in July.

Northern province player Izuchukwu and southern province wing Nash are also absent due to fitness concerns, while number 15 Hugo Keenan was previously excluded after having a hip operation following the Lions tour.

Dublin province forward McCarthy - Joe's younger brother - is the sole uncapped member in the 34-player group, however the Irish Rugby Football Union states new provincial duo Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson and once-capped western province winger Shayne Bolton will travel to Chicago as "backup".

After facing the New Zealand at the Chicago stadium in a rematch of their previous meeting, Ireland will play Japan, the Wallabies and world title holders South Africa in Dublin.

"There's an exciting look to the squad and there's an opportunity for the veteran players and for the newcomers on the recent tour to the Lelos and Portugal," commented the coach, who returns to national team duties after taking a sabbatical to coach the Lions tour to Australia.

In a largely familiar-looking selection, Leinster's Sam Prendergast and the southern club's Jack Crowley will once again vie for the starting fly-half position. The number 10 jersey is still available, as Prendergast and Crowley set to face off for the first time in the upcoming United Rugby Championship match at Croke Park.

Frawley is the additional number 10 selected with the coach opting against selecting the province's Byrne.

At scrum-half, the Ireland boss has picked British and Irish Lion Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who led the national side to the summer international victories over the Lelos and Portugal. Additionally, there is a recall for the western province's Blade, chosen to teammate Ben Murphy.

Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and McCloskey form an experienced cohort of midfield choices. Jamie Osborne is another option in the midfield, but the youngster is also a frontrunner to deputise for the full-back at full-back.

Outside backs James Lowe, Mack Hansen, Tommy O'Brien and Jacob Stockdale are included. The winger shone on his national team debut over the summer with two tries apiece in the victories over the Lelos and the Lobos.

McCarthy is the sole new name in the Ireland pack. The front rower has started two of his province's three United Rugby Championship matches so far and featured in Ireland A's loss by England in the English city earlier this year.

McCarthy was included in interim boss O'Connell's summer squad, but did not earn a cap.

Munster lock Thomas Ahern, who earned his first two caps in those Tests, is kept in the squad, while experienced Ulster lock Iain Henderson returns after missing the summer tour.

Conan, who started all three Lions Tests during the tour, is poised to deputise for Doris should the captain does not regain full fitness soon enough to play New Zealand.

The national team will meet in the capital on Monday before flying to Chicago on the following day.

Pack (19): Ahern (Munster), Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Province), Tadhg Beirne (Province), Jack Boyle (Province), Thomas Clarkson (Province), Jack Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Province, capt), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Henderson (Ulster), Ronan Kelleher (Province), Gus McCarthy (Province), P McCarthy (Province), Porter (Leinster), C Prendergast (Province), Ryan (Leinster), Sheehan (Leinster), Nick Timoney (Province), Josh van der Flier (Province).

Backs (15): Bundee Aki (Province), Blade (Connacht), Casey (Munster), Crowley (Munster), Frawley (Province), Jamison Gibson-Park (Province), Hansen (Province), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), O'Brien (Province), Osborne (Province), Sam Prendergast (Province), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Stockdale (Province).

Kick-off times

• Ireland v New Zealand, 1 November, Chicago (20:10)
• The side v Japan, 8 November, Dublin (12:40)
• The team v Australia, November 15, Dublin (20:10)
• Ireland v the Springboks, November 22, Aviva Stadium (17:40)